Patagonia

A Patagonian inn owner said, "When you go to Mar del Plata, you expect to find sand. And when you come to Patagonia, expect to find the windâthe wind is Patagonia." Its famous wind is only one memory travelers take away from a journey to this end of the planet. These plains are hemmed between glacier-blanketed Andes and an Atlantic coast laced with coves and islands sculpted by the wind and sea. It is a landscape that fascinated Charles Darwin.

Argentinaâs Patagonia stretches from the RĂ­o Colorado to the Strait of Magellan. The grasslands are populated by grazing guanaco, trottingĂ±andĂș and occasional herd of sheep. Throughout the year, flamingos paint scattered lagoons.

Few humans live in the hinterlands, preferring instead the coast. This is also the favored spot for penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, and scores of migratory birds. The cold waters are home to whales, dolphins and orcas.

Best Hiking in Patagonia

The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park in the southwestern part of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. When it snows high in the Patagonian Andes, the snow and ice does not
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The Miradores de los CĂłndores and de las Ăguilas trails begin from the park office. At first, the main trail passes through the compound, to the trailhead to the left. The path then rises steadily
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The trail to Lago Toro, not to be confused with Laguna Torre, makes for a long, but relatively easy, hike. Starting at the signposted trailhead on the grounds of the national park headquarters, the
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Coziest Lodging in Chilly Patagonia

Sitting on the shores of the remote Lago Posadas, Rio Tarde is a family-run, newly-built hotel with beautiful views from its tower and terraces. Constructed mainly out of wood, the hotel has double
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The first thing youâll notice about Hostal America del Sur is the mountain of hiking boots piled at the door. Yes, this place has a shoes-off policy, but not to worry, the heated floors will keep
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Albergue y Camping Lago del Desierto is a good option for shoestring travelers. This large house has four-bed dorms with shared baths and six-bed dorms with private facilities. All seem clean enough.
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I Keu Ken Hostel touts itself as a travelerâs home away from home, a place to rest after a long stint on the road. This pleasant inn is in a quiet part of town, away from the bustle of the center
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Hotel Patagonia is a modern, urban hotel in the heart of RĂ­o Gallegos. The spacious, glass-walled lobby is decorated with sleek, plush furnishings. Hotel Patagonia has all the services any type of
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Hotel BahĂ­a is a modern hotel. On the outside its plain brick is accented by a large green bow window. On the indise of this inn, a large and airy lobby greets guests. A winter garden brightens drab
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If youâre in the mood for seafood, youâll be served royally at El Rey de Mariscos. Fish, such as flounder, and red and white salmon, are prepared, as well as five styles of octopus, clams, giant
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The Shelter doesnât have much on the menu, just pizza and empanadas. The empanadas are good, but people rave about the pizzas; locals say these are the best cheese pies in town. All are baked in a
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You know you're in Puesto Molino when you enter. On one golden-colored wall is an old windmill. This entire large restaurant is entirely decorated with farm instruments and other rustic touches. In
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